Life And Death In Rebel Prisons; Giving A Complete History Of The Inhuman And Barbarous Treatment…

Paperback | February 6, 2012

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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1870. Excerpt: ... through sympathy with the wicked conspirators, who gloried in this consequence of their deliberate action. One who became accessory, in great measure, to this fiendish scheme, was Henry Wirz, Military Commandant of the prison--a man of fiery and ungovernable temper; profane, cruel, and heartless to the last degree; one who in no wise hesitated to unfold and further the murderous plots of superior and designing officers. Were it possible to offer any thing in extenuation of the atrocious conduct which he exhibited to the Union prisoners, it could only be that he was not a native, but simply an adopted citizen of the country. This, however, could be but a poor apology for the utter absence of all those principles of virtue and compassion which are the prime glory of manhood in any land. He has obtained universal execration. His name stands on history but to awaken unmitigated contempt in every loyal and true heart. For those who would inquire into his early history, as well as his subsequent life, we subjoin a brief sketch of his career. He was born in November, 1823, at the town of Zurich, Switzerland, and early manifested a predilection for the medical profession, a preference, however, which was in no wise encouraged by his parents, who had other plans for him, and in pursuance of them placed him in a commercial house in his native town. Dissatisfied with his position, he turned his attention to American shores, and landed at New York, in 1849, where he again attempted to gratify his professional ambition. Failure was written upon this also, and he repaired to the manufacturing town pf Lawrence, Massachusetts, where he obtained employment as a weaver in one of the mills of the place. While thus engaged he made the acquaintance of a gentleman who had the ...